Are you interested in vision correction but are not a LASIK candidate? Would you like visual freedom but aren’t sure what options there are besides LASIK?
If this sounds like you, then you’ll be happy to know there are alternatives to LASIK. There are a few other vision correction options if LASIK is not a good fit for you.
Keep reading to see what your vision correction options are if you aren’t a LASIK candidate.
The Visian ICL
The Visian ICL is an implantable collamer lens. If you have poor vision, the ICL might be a good option if you do not qualify for LASIK.
The Visian ICL gets placed in front of your eye’s natural lens to help refract light onto your retina. Your natural lens is not removed, so your eyes can still naturally focus.
It is crucial to work with your doctor to ensure you are getting the vision correction that is best for your eyes and lifestyle. You want to be sure that you have a good experience and that the results match your expectations.
PRK
PRK is another type of laser vision correction that is similar to LASIK. It can correct low and medium amounts of astigmatism, nearsightedness, or farsightedness.
It also uses a laser to reshape your cornea, just like LASIK. But, there is a difference between the two procedures.
During LASIK, your surgeon creates a flap with your epithelium or the outer layer of your cornea. When the procedure is over, they place the flap back down, and it heals on its own.
PRK works differently. Instead, your surgeon removes the entire epithelium to access the middle layer of the cornea below. Then, the epithelium regrows during your recovery period.
Because the epithelium gets taken off your eye, the recovery from PRK is longer and maybe a bit more uncomfortable. But, you don’t risk any flap complications after getting PRK, as you do after LASIK.
Since there is no flap in PRK, it’s a great option if your corneas are too thin for LASIK.
Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)
Refractive lens exchange (RLE) is when a surgeon replaces the natural lens in your eye with an intraocular lens or IOL. It will prevent you from getting cataracts because they can’t form in IOLs.
RLE is the same process as cataract surgery. But, you get it before your cataracts have developed enough for you to need cataract surgery.
It fixes any vision issues that prevent you from seeing clearly by correcting the refraction in your eyes.
People can get RLE for a variety of reasons and conditions. The majority of patients who get RLE have extreme farsightedness or presbyopia.
Patients who have these conditions are not good candidates for PRK or LASIK. If you have high levels of hyperopia and presbyopia, getting RLE may be the only reasonable option to correct your vision.
There are numerous IOLs to choose from for RLE. Your eye doctor will help you select the best one for you based on your vision goals and lifestyle.
Are you ready for the visual freedom vision correction provides? Schedule a consultation at Chicago Cornea Consultants™ in Chicago, IL. We’ll help you determine the best vision correction procedure for you!
